What's in a Name?

Katie (Wikipedia definition) - Pure

Katie (Urban Dictionary definition) - A happy person who is a good listener and reliable friend. Likes to party and is always there when you need her.

It's been just over 10 years since we lost KT.  October 11, 2001. 

Throughout all of my years fundraising for various races, I've maintained that the driving purpose behind the running and fundraising is so that NO ONE ever has to go through what we went through.  Watching your best friend lose her hair.  Watching your best friend grow weaker and weaker.  And ultimately watching your best friend lose her battle.  

It's been just over 5 years since I started volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House.  In that time I have met hundreds of parents and children from around the world.   From Puerto Rico to Greece, Tajikistan to Iowa.  I have met Connors, Henleys, Jessicas, Ryans, Ashleys, Jacks, and Neemas.  

Last night I met my first Katie.  

She wore a hot pink wig.  

She had glittery shoes.  

She is 6.  

She has battled cancer for more than half of her short life.

In the half hour that I spent with Katie I learned that she is a first grader from Indiana who loves Disney princesses, dancing, coloring, all things sparkly and glittery, and recess.  She likes to do arts and crafts, and doesn't really like to read even though her mom says she should.  She likes cool glasses, like mine, and pink nail polish.  She LOVES her friends... a lot.

In the time that I spent with her mom, I learned that Katie has been battling Stage IV Neuroblastoma since the age of 3.  The doctors told her mom that they could make Katie comfortable for the next 6-9 months, but that ultimately she would pass away.  That was 3 years ago.  Before they came to Memorial Sloan Kettering, before the Ronald McDonald House.  I learned that due to all of her treatments, Katie is small enough to fit in the stroller that her mom uses to traverse the streets of New York City.  I learned that they use the stroller because Katie is just too weak to walk most places. 

On my walk home from the House last night I felt my heart break into a million tiny pieces because of one simple realization; Katie with the hot pink wig was in New York City because she had an incredibly aggressive and rare form of cancer, and back home in Indiana there was a little girl wondering why HER BEST FRIEND, Katie, was so very sick and so very far away.

So I will continue to run.  

Because 10 years ago I made a promise. 

Because there is another Katie, and her best friend needs her.

I love you!